MONROE TOWNSHIP, NJ, May 19, 2010 – Richard E. Constable III, Deputy Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, (LWD) was the featured speaker today addressing members of the New Jersey Business and Industry Association (NJBIA) about initiatives of the Department and the Administration.

Constable spoke to more than 30 small-to-large business owners at a meeting of the NJBIA Employment and Labor Policy Committee held at Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township.

Melanie Willoughby, NJBIA Senior Vice President said, “The members of the Business and Industry Association are encouraged by the responsiveness of Labor and Workforce Development and the Christie Administration to the employer’s perspective and the issues facing New Jersey businesses.”

Deputy Commissioner Constable addressed issues of importance to the group including the need for structural reform of New Jersey’s Unemployment Insurance system to protect businesses and workers. New Jersey’s unemployment insurance trust fund is empty and the system has borrowed $1.75 billion from the federal trust fund to pay benefits. Governor Christie has proposed reforms and legislation to control the size of an automatic wage tax increase that could hit employers with $1 billion more in taxes in the next fiscal year. The proposed reforms also would introduce changes for claimants and could reduce the maximum weekly benefit which is the second highest in the nation.

Deputy Commissioner Constable also discussed Governor Christie’s aggressive business retention and attraction efforts and highlighted the various Department services available to employers to enhance their productivity and competitiveness.

“Under the leadership of Governor Christie and Acting Commissioner Wirths, the Department is, and will remain, a strong advocate for New Jersey’s businesses and our workforce,” Constable said.

The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development is an equal employment opportunity employer and provides equal opportunity programs.
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